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New Beetle electrical question
- Thread starter JPSmit
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jsfbond
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Is one of the lights on that side burning both filaments in one of the bulbs? It could be a short inside of the bulb adding the resistance of the parking light circuit/load to the mix. Process of elimination, Try swapping bulbs around from one side of the car to the other.If this does not work then I'm out of the equation, I'm just a cabinetmaker.Wood is good!
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I hate woodworking. I want tolerances to 0.001"... METAL FOREVER! 
A heavier load on the flasher would make it blink s l o w e r, IMO. I'd first clean all the bulb contacts. Both the bulbs AND the sockets. If it still does it after that, either a poor connector at one of the sockets (can't see that with VW) or the flasher is wonky.
A heavier load on the flasher would make it blink s l o w e r, IMO. I'd first clean all the bulb contacts. Both the bulbs AND the sockets. If it still does it after that, either a poor connector at one of the sockets (can't see that with VW) or the flasher is wonky.
OP
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DrEntropy said:I hate woodworking. I want tolerances to 0.001"... METAL FOREVER!
A heavier load on the flasher would make it blink s l o w e r, IMO. I'd first clean all the bulb contacts. Both the bulbs AND the sockets. If it still does it after that, either a poor connector at one of the sockets (can't see that with VW) or the flasher is wonky.
actually, can imagine the connector/socket, partly because flasher works properly on one side but not the other. and partly because the build quality on VW's generally sucks and partly because last year we parked it at friends for a few weeks and chipmunks ate the wiring. SWMBO is heading to Albuquerque next week so I plan to get at it - check engine light is back on too.
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Socket, yes. Connector, not so much.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] build quality on VW's generally sucks and partly because last year we parked it at friends for a few weeks <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">and chipmunks ate the wiring.</span></span> [/QUOTE]
I think ya may have a clue there. I'm rollin' on th' floor!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] build quality on VW's generally sucks and partly because last year we parked it at friends for a few weeks <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">and chipmunks ate the wiring.</span></span> [/QUOTE]
I think ya may have a clue there. I'm rollin' on th' floor!!
jsfbond
Jedi Warrior
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DrEntropy said:I hate woodworking. I want tolerances to 0.001"... METAL FOREVER!
LOL, Smack a piece of wood with a hammer and there goes 0.01, and your worried about 0.001? Actually I received my tolerance training at a shop that specialized in cigar humidors. The cover to the box, was wood to wood, no other sealing medium. The final test before shipping was to drop/close the cover, and it would soft seal from the escaping air. If it clacked we could try a few adjustments but mostly, hundreds of hours into the box, was all for naught.
OP
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OK update - I'm confused.
took out the front signal lights and swapped them - fast flash changed sides, now on the driver's side. Aha says I it must be the bulb (since switching has eliminated pretty much everything else) went to the store and bought 2 1157 bulbs. Installed the first, no change. Installed the second - flash is normal. Lasted for about 1/2 an hour. Was at Canadian Tire, asked the guy at the counter, what size bulb is it? He said P21/ 5 volt. Bought it - installed it - good for 20 minutes. As it sits, drivers side flashes at double speed but all 3 signal lights are working.
thoughts?
took out the front signal lights and swapped them - fast flash changed sides, now on the driver's side. Aha says I it must be the bulb (since switching has eliminated pretty much everything else) went to the store and bought 2 1157 bulbs. Installed the first, no change. Installed the second - flash is normal. Lasted for about 1/2 an hour. Was at Canadian Tire, asked the guy at the counter, what size bulb is it? He said P21/ 5 volt. Bought it - installed it - good for 20 minutes. As it sits, drivers side flashes at double speed but all 3 signal lights are working.
thoughts?
Out here we have large wood rats that are fond of chewing the wiring, and making nests, and stuffing twigs and nuts in any protected cavity in the autos. Leaving the hood up at night is a help, but tying a few sheets of fragrant fabric softener sheets under the hood and trunk has proven quite effective. --elrey
OP
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Update, took the car in for other work and was talking to the mechanic. He says, "bring the car in" took a look cleaned the socket and all is well. The flashing "changing sides" was a coincidence - kind of like an LBC. thanks all for your opinions.